Destinations, Europe, Family Travel, iphone photography, Paris, photo essay, Photography, Travel, travel photography

Our Family Trip to Paris in 20 iPhone Photos

March 30, 2018

March is a great time for a family trip to Paris and Paris with kids is always a good idea. Paris in Spring means it’s off-season, more affordable than a summer visit and the attractions are significantly less busy. I’ve been to Paris 5 times with three of those visits in March and three of those visits with at least one child (one of my sons, both sons or my niece).

In 2012, I had 6 nights in Paris and fantastic weather. Days were bright and blue and temperatures were in the mid-teens, one day hit 20 degrees Celsius. In March 2018, we didn’t luck out with the weather, but that didn’t stop our wandering. We had 5 nights and everything from sun to rain to snow, yes, snow (it melted quickly).

I have found that 3 to a 5-day family trip to Paris is the perfect amount of time. On our family of four trip to Paris, we stayed in an Airbnb in the Latin Quarter, my favourite arrondissement, near Place Saint Michel and Quai Saint-Michel. It is walking distance to the Notre Dame, the infamous Shakespeare, and Co. book shop, the cobblestone streets of Rue de la Huchette and the Seine.

We took advantage of a fantastic flight deal from Toronto ($321 CAD on British Airways) and visited Paris during my son’s March Break (also known as Spring break).

Note: If you’re Canadian and looking for flight deals, be sure to check out Next Departure on Facebook.

The best days were without a plan exploring on the hop on hop off tour of Paris or on foot and feeling the vibe of the city. It’s that vibe, the cafes, the lights, the architecture, the cobblestone streets, and the je ne sais quoi that keeps bringing me back to the City of Lights.

Some highlights of our trip:

Hop On Hop off Bus
Eiffel Tower at Night
The Carousel near the Eiffel Tower
Walking along the Seine
The Lego Store near the Latin Quarter
Midnight run for gelato
Street Food

All photos shot on iPhone 7 plus.

paris airbnb — A view from a bedroom in our Paris Airbnb.

View from our Airbnb in Paris — The view from our Airbnb balcony in Paris

family travel to Paris, Notre Dame — My family at the Notre Dame in Paris

Some street art near Le Centre Pompidou, Paris — Some street art near Le Centre Pompidou in Paris

Latin Quarter Paris — Our neighbourhood on a late Saturday night and the cobblestone streets of Rue de la Huchette

Rue de la Huchette Paris at night — Walking back to our Airbnb after late-night gelato.

family travel Paris — My youngest son pauses to take in the view over the Seine.

Family travel Paris in iPhone photos — My family walking near Pont Neuf and the Seine.

Locks on the Pont Neuf, family travel — Love locks on the Pont Neuf in Paris

Paris ile de la cite — Waiting for a view of my family to walk through this garden, instead, this group appeared. After some research, I learned that this was a group of Knights Templar. I also learned that at the tip of this island, Île de la Cité, some Knights Templar were burned at the stake on March 18, 2014. This photo was taken on March 18, 2018.

crepe stand in Paris — Street food on Pont Neuf in Paris

Place Dauphine is surrounded by buildings and cafes and there is room for kids to run. It’s a quaint oasis in Paris. Don’t miss this hidden spot.

The first sight of the Louvre Pyramid in Paris.

Louvre Pyramid at night — Louvre Pyramid at Night, my sons in silhouette.

family trip to Paris, louvre pyramid — My family walking by the Louvre Pyramid in Paris

Carousel de la Eiffel — The Carousel near the Eiffel Tower. My sons enjoyed a ride, even my 12-year old 🙂

Eiffel tower shot on iPhone — My youngest son taking a photo of the Eiffel Tower with his iPhone 5s.

Disclaimer: The moment links below contain affiliate links. If you find value in something I have shared, I’d be grateful if you used my link to make your purchase as it helps with the costs to run this blog. And as always, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to connect with me. Thank you – Andrea.

Moment add-on lenses for iPhone

Over the years I’ve invested in Moment lenses for my iPhone to capture wider views and macro details. In the last year or so I added a telephoto lens and an anamorphic lens to my iPhone photography gear.

Click on the text below for more info on Moment iPhone lenses and cases.

Moment telephoto lens for iPhone 6, 6s, 7, 7 plus, 8, 8 plus, X, XR. XS Max, 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max (if you have a dual-lens iPhone, this gives you 4x optical zoom)
Moment wide-angle lens for iPhone
Moment cases for iPhones, Samsung and Pixel Smartphones

For more information about mobile photography and Moment lenses for your smartphone, read this article.

The best accessories for smartphone photography and smartphone video

16000 mAh Anker portable battery charger (charges my iPhone 4-5 times)
Rode Video micro & sc7 (sc7 needed for smartphones)
iPhone 7,8, X, XR, XS, XS Max, 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max – 2-in-1 Lightning and Headphone adapter
DJI Osmo Mobile 3 – foldable gimbal, may not be compatible with heavier iPhones + lenses. Check the Moment website.
Peak Design Field Pouch – holds my lenses, a small portable battery charger, and other accessories
Peak Design 3L Sling – if you want something a little larger, this is a great option. I have the 5L sling. I love Peak Design too!

Where to Stay in Paris with Kids

Paris Tours with Kids

Mobile Photography Workshops

If you’re in the Toronto and Greater Toronto area, I offer in-person private hands-on mobile photography workshops.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

SUBSCRIBE to wanderingiPhone.com for staying in the loop – exclusive opportunities, photo tours, workshops, webinars, and subscriber discounts on mobile photography workshops, consulting and more.

Our Family Trip to Paris in 20 iPhone Photos | wanderingiphone.com — pin me

Destinations, Europe, Family Travel, iphone photography, Italy, mobile photography, Travel, travel photography, travel tips

A day trip with kids from Milan to Varenna

June 17, 2016

It was the last day of our 3-country intergenerational family trip and our final day in Milan. I love nature and any chance to be near an ocean, lake, river or any body of water; I take it. In this case, the body of water was Lake Como, and it was calling. After visiting Amsterdam, Dusseldorf and spending a day in Milan, I was yearning to get away from concrete and city chaos.

I didn’t have a plan, but I knew Lake Como was reasonably close. I chose Varenna because it was a 65-minute train ride to Varenna Esino station, picturesque and not as touristy (busy) as other destinations on Lake Como.

My two boys (10 and 6) and I headed to the Milan Central station which was one stop away on the Metro from our rental apartment in Piazza Della Repubblica. The Milan Metro has several lines which can be a little confusing but with my very limited Italian, hand gesturing and helpful Milanese, we were on our way.

We arrived at the station with time to spare. We did some window shopping on the lower levels then grabbed some pizza on level two where the platforms are. After lunch, we joined the other travellers in the waiting area near Gate A where we were to board our train.

Sons at Milano Centrale — My sons at Milano Centrale

It was an easy train ride and the last twenty minutes were spectacular as the lake and mountains came into view. We took a taxi to Piazza San Giorgio, the main square, as I didn’t know how far of a walk it would be. It turns out it’s a quick 4-5 minute taxi ride and a flat rate of ten euros to get there.

The first thing you notice upon arrival is the stone church and tower on your left, the Church of San Giorgio, consecrated in 1313. The bells chimed just after we arrived and again as we got back to the Piazza before departing Varenna.

piazza san giorgia varenna italy — Piazza San Giorgia in Varenna, Italy.

The first glimpse of Lake Como beside Hotel Royal Victoria as you walk through the piazza.

We weren’t sure which way to go to get to the waterfront, but the lane sloped downward, so we followed it. As we walked away from the church, there was a red house straight ahead; the path continued right.

Then, a house with green doors and shutters next to a house with terra cotta/orange-ish coloured walls and a window with flower pots in front of us; a mailbox was on the left corner.

doors in varenna — My six-year-old son in Varenna, Italy

a window in Varenna — My 10-year-old son in Varenna, Italy (snapchat image)

A narrow lane continued left and offered another glimpse of the water and mountains. We could either continue to walk down the continuous path or take the steep steps on the right which led down to the lake. We chose the longer way down so we could enjoy all the little details and colours along the way.

walking in varenna with family — The gradual pathway down to Lake Como in Varenna, Italy

At the end of the cobblestone path, there was a restaurant on the right with a choice to go left or right; we went right. As we continued, there was a small outdoor patio with a view of the lake on the left and then another and another. There were restaurants and more seating across the pathway on the right. We passed the restaurants in search of a gelateria.

Just after we passed the restaurants there was a stone ‘beach’, children were laughing and playing in the lake, and anchored boats were in the harbour. There were benches with views of the lake and mountains with the Alps in the distance behind them. Shops, galleries and gelaterias were also to be found. There was a pier with a water taxi service which also offered tours around the lake. Signs pointed to the ferry boat that takes passengers to Bellagio.

Lake Como from the waterfront promenade in Varenna, Italy

varenna — A view back to the photo above and the stone beach in Varenna, Italy

After a while, we turned back to Gelateria Riva di Riva Duilio, one of the gelato shops we had passed. My youngest son is a big fan of gelato, my oldest son, not so much. We both had the mint gelato; it was so fresh, creamy and minty and we were in gelato heaven. We sat on the stone steps beside the gelateria which had seat cushions for its patrons to enjoy their gelato with a view. After our gelato, we continued walking back in the direction we originally came from and made our way to one of the waterfront restaurants, Bar Il Molo. The patio nearer to the lake was full, but we managed to snag the last table across the pathway.

Lakeside patio views from Bar Il Molo in Varenna, Italy.

We were enjoying our time in Varenna so we opted for one of the latest trains back to Milano Centrale, one that got us back to Milan just after 9:30 pm. We had a minor blip on our trip back as we ended up on a train going in the wrong direction. No big deal I thought, we’ll just get off at the next stop. Luckily it was only a few minutes away; we were about 6-7 minutes ahead of our schedule, and the right train was delayed for ten minutes.

Note: If you’re at Varenna Esino train station and are going to Milan, take the stairs to the lower level and go through a short tunnel under the tracks to get to the other side. ‘Getting lost made for an adventure and thanks to helpful people that pointed us in the right direction. There is some street art in the tunnel, mostly The Simpsons.

Street art in the tunnel at Varenna Esino station, a — Street art in the tunnel at Varenna Esino station. (Snapchat image).

Waiting for the train at Varenna Esino train station in Italy — Waiting for the train to Milano Centrale at the Varenna Esino station in Italy

It was an uneventful ride back to Milan and a short trip back to our apartment. It was the perfect day trip with my two sons. They loved both Varenna and Milan, though I think it was the pizza and gelato that sealed the deal.

MilanoCentraleBW — Milano Centrale train station

Prague in 9 Squares

May 24, 2016

Continuing with a new series on the wanderingiPhone blog ‘in 9 squares’.

In March 2012, I went on a solo trip to Europe. One of the cities I visited was Prague. In my research, I came across comments that suggested that Prague may not be safe. I took Prague off my itinerary but then put it back on as it was a city I wanted to visit. I am glad I did and am happy to report that I felt completely safe and my visit was without incident.

I, unfortunately, had only a short time in Prague and felt like I only scratched the surface of this beautiful city. I made the most of my time there but with its architecture, bridges, churches and overall charm, I’d love to go back and explore more and travel deeper. My favourite time of day was just as the sun was beginning to set and as the lights on the buildings started to shine. The only word I can think of to describe it, magical.

Here are my favourite 9 Instagram photos from that trip. Click on the 9 squares below to see a larger version.

Prague Czech Republic in 9 squares — Charles Bridge, Tyn Church, St. Nicolas Church, Estates Theatre, Prague.

Walking through the cobblestone streets with a hot Sva?ak (mulled wine) in hand as you make your way to Charles Bridge.
Standing on the infamous Bridge overlooking the Vltava River with several other bridges in the distance.
Watching a Mozart opera in the same building that Mozart debuted Don Giovanni over 200 years earlier in 1787.

These are the memories that play over in my mind and I hope to return with my family and learn more about the culture and history as I recently learned that a maternal great grandmother is from the Czech Republic.

March is a great time of year to visit Prague. It’s off season and there are deals to be found. I stayed at the 5-star Hilton in Old Town for only $70USD per night thanks to a winning bid on Priceline’s ‘name your own price’.

To see the photos on Instagram along with their detailed captions, visit wanderingiphone on Instagram.

Vienna’s Prater Ferris Wheel

December 15, 2015

One of Vienna, Austria’s landmarks, the historic Prater ferris wheel. The original ferris wheel was built in 1897 but was damaged in 1944 during World War II. It has since been restored a few times.

Oh the Places I’ve Gone in 2014

December 31, 2014

It’s been a great travel year for me and I am grateful for the opportunities, new friends, old friends and for a family that supports me.

In 2014 I returned to a country I love – South Africa, not once but twice! I visited in May and my dad came along. I also returned in November and my family (husband, 4yo & 9yo sons) came with! My dad joined us a week later. My visits to South Africa are always so inspiring and wonderful and never long enough.

St. James Beach - Cape Town, South Africa. — St. James Beach – Cape Town, South Africa May 2014. This image was chosen to appear in Pocket Vistas, a Mobile Photography exhibition of Landscape, Nature & Wildlife.

Sons & penguins at Boulder's Beach in Cape Town, South Africa. — My sons & penguins at Boulder’s Beach in Cape Town, South Africa November 2014.

My son enjoyed seeing the penguins and playing in the water at Boulders Beach, Cape Town, South Africa. — My son checking out the view at Boulder’s Beach May 2014. Both my boys enjoyed seeing the penguins and playing in the water. Cape Town, South Africa.

Street art in the Woodstock neighbourhood in Cape Town, South Africa. — Street art in Woodstock. Cape Town, South Africa November 2014.

Zebra in Black and White. Taken with my Olympus em1 mirrorless camera while on safari in South Africa. . — Zebra in Black and White. Taken with my Olympus em1 mirrorless camera & M.Zuiko 40-150mm 2.8 pro lens while on safari in South Africa with Naledi Enkoveni December 2014.

Bird silhouettes against a South African sunset. Taken with my Olympus em1 & 40-150mm 2.8 pro lens. — Bird silhouettes against a South African sunset. Taken with my Olympus em1 & 40-150mm 2.8 pro lens while on safari with Naledi Enkoveni December 2014.

The reason for my return to South Africa was because of a women’s mobile photography development initiative I founded and started there in November 2013, The Heart of a Woman Project. I visited in May to launch phase 2 and my father came with to meet the ladies and offer some help. I returned once more in November to celebrate our 1st anniversary with an exhibition and cultural celebration and was very happy to have my husband & 2 sons (9 & 4) with me.

The Heart of a Woman Project South Africa #thoawSA May 2014.

An instameet in Khayelitsha with Instagramers Cape Town and the ladies from thoawSA. — An inaugural #instameetEKASI in Khayelitsha with Instagramers Cape Town and the ladies from thoawSA June 1, 2014. Photo by Ockie Fourie.

A collage of the women's work over the last year. The Heart of a Woman Project. — A collage of the women’s work over the last year on display at eKhaya eKasi, The Heart of a Woman Project. Debuted at the 1st anniversary exhibition & cultural celebration November 2014.

My 4 yo learning isiXhosa games from the kids in the eKhaya eKasi community. We spent 6 days there. They played with the kids while I taught. — My 4 yo son learning isiXhosa games from the kids in the eKhaya eKasi community. We spent 6 days there in November 2014. They played with the kids while I taught the ladies and they can’t wait to return.

On the way to South Africa, we had an overnight layover in London, England. Mostly we stayed near the airport in hopes that my sons would adjust a bit to the time difference so they could handle the further 2 hour difference between GMT and SAST. It seemed to work and they adjusted well. It also helped to avoid 2 back to back overnight flights. We took off to Windsor before checking in for our flight. Windsor was about 25 minutes from Heathrow, it’s a quaint town and a good layover visit. We saw Windsor Castle from the outside only and had lunch in a local pub. It was my son’s 1st visit to Europe, we’ll have to go back for a proper one.

My sons in front of Windsor Castle, a layover stop before our flight to South Africa. — My sons in front of Windsor Castle, a layover stop before our flight to South Africa November 2014.

Gemma, Andrea, Kelly & Mariellen - WeGoSolo — Gemma, Andrea, Kelly & Mariellen of WeGoSolo at Women’s Travel Fest in New York, NY March 2014.

I went to New York City in March for the Women’s Travel Fest and again in October for National Geographic Traveler’s seminar on Storytelling Photography with Ami Vitale and Melissa Farlow, two well respected National Geographic photographers. I’ve been a professional photographer since 2003 and have been following Ami’s incredible work since that time. It was great to meet her in person and to learn from her.

New York is a great city for solo travel and I love to see a show on broadway, discover a restaurant and observe what’s happening around the city. While walking back to my hotel after seeing a show on Broadway, I came across this scene in Times Square. At first it was just this young man with his sign and then this half dressed man came by and started dancing, things got interesting.

I am also grateful to have been able to get in a short visit but with quality time with dear friends in Vancouver (my home away from home) and Saskatoon in Canada in April.

Dundarave Beach in West Vancouver. — Dundarave Beach in West Vancouver April 2014

Between all the travel both solo and with family, I also managed to visit some our family favourites nearer to home – Niagara Falls in February and June and the Kawartha Lakes in August.

The American Falls as seen from the Canadian side. Visited Niagara Falls with the family on Family Day. — The American Falls as seen from the Canadian side. Visited Niagara Falls with the family on Family Day February 2014.

My oldest son enjoying the view in Kawartha Lakes, Ontario. — My oldest son enjoying the view in Kawartha Lakes, Ontario at a cottage we rented for a week August 2014.

Sons enjoying a ride on the Skywheel in Niagara Falls. — Sons enjoying a ride on the Skywheel in Niagara Falls June 2014. We had an overnight there shortly after I returned from South Africa.

Lastly, I added 2 new cities to my travels, Albuquerque and Santa Fe, New Mexico in July. I was in Santa Fe for the International Folk Art Market that hosts artisans from around the world. From their website – “Celebrates the humanity of the handmade that empowers communities through monumental earnings.”

There were so many talented artists with their incredible handmade work. It was like travelling around the world in a day. The highlights were visiting the artists and learning more about the work from Myanmar (Burma), South Africa and Haiti. I met a man and his family that represents the last 30 puppeteers of Myanmar. It’s a dying tradition that dates back 600 years. You can read about it here.

Fabrics from Myanmar. — Fabrics from Myanmar at IFAM July 2014 in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Baskets made of telephone wire in South Africa. — Baskets made of telephone wire in South Africa at IFAM July 2014 in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Art from Haiti, with a strong belief in voodoo. — Art from Haiti, with a strong belief in voodoo at IFAM July 2014 in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Puppeteer from Myanmar, a 600 year tradition at IFAM July 2014 in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

I also got a chance to drive a bit of Route 66 in Albuquerque.

Route 66 - Albuquerque, New Mexcio. — Route 66 – Albuquerque, New Mexico July 2014.

Route 66 - Albuquerque, New Mexico. — Route 66 – Albuquerque, New Mexico July 2014.

It’s been great to go through my photos of the last year and relive some memories. I hope you’ve enjoyed seeing some images from the destinations I visited in 2014.

Sharing 2 quotes I love and perfect for starting the new year –

Wishing you new beginnings, magic, dreams and safe travels in 2015, the best is yet to come!

Until next time,

Andrea

…and my wandering iPhone

Destinations, Europe, Germany, Solo Travel, Stories

I Remember – International Holocaust Remembrance Day

January 27, 2014

Today is International Holocaust Remembrance Day as designated by the UN.

I am honouring my grandfather, all those that perished – 6 million+ and those that survived and lived to tell the truth.

My maternal grandfather Majer Fisczel Gorewicz from Kielce, Poland survived 4 camps including Auschwitz, his mother and 5 sisters did not. I never met him as he died 3 years before I was born. For years, my mom and I researched in our attempts to trace my grandfather’s family. There is no trace of them. It is believed they perished in Auschwitz.

In August 2011, I travelled to the United States Holocaust Museum in Washington, DC (my 2nd visit) and donated whatever we had of my grandfather on behalf of my mom. We did so to preserve our documents, and so others would never forget. At that visit, I put in a request to have research on my grandfather done. Amazingly, they were able to trace my grandfather’s steps and tell us which camps he was imprisoned at, his Auschwitz and Flossenberg prisoner numbers and the camp he was liberated. He was liberated from Dachau on April 29, 1945.

I went to Germany for the first time in March 2012, so I could visit the Dachau concentration camp near Munich. After many years of purposely not visiting Germany, I felt it was time. My maternal grandmother was born in Germany, my mom was born in Germany, and my uncle still lives there, but I couldn’t help but feel hurt and some anger. My grandparents met at a displaced person’s camp near Munich, Germany as my grandmother was a nurse during that time. It’s been said that my grandma nursed him back to health and saved his life.

On arrival in Munich, I went directly to the train station as I had planned to spend the night in Salzburg, Austria. I knew that it would take some time for me to prepare for a visit to Dachau and to spend time in Germany. Over 1 1/2 weeks, I travelled by train from Munich to Salzburg to Vienna to Prague and then by bus back to Munich. I saved Dachau for the end of the trip.

As I looked out the train window during those first few train rides, I imagined all the people that walked beside the train tracks in death marches or that rode the rails to their fate and couldn’t help but feel emotional. I learned that my grandfather was one of those that walked in a death march. He walked from Flossenberg to Dachau in 1945.

I was overwhelmed with emotions as I walked to the gates of the Dachau camp from the remnants of the old train tracks. The gates read “Arbeit Macht Frei” which means “work makes you free”.

I walked the grounds, looked at photos and took photos. As I stood inside the Jewish Memorial with my thoughts, I looked up towards the stream of light coming in. There was an opening, and it looked like an angel with the way the light spilt in. Suddenly, the feeling of anger began to lift.

At the ‘Never Again’ memorial, I placed a rock that I found on the ground on the top. It joined the many other rocks that were there. It is customary to place rocks on headstones and memorials of Jewish people and places of remembrance. It symbolizes the strength and endurance of a rock; it says that we were there and it is a way to preserve the love and memory of those that have died.

These are some of my photos of Dachau. It has taken me almost 2 years to write this post.

B-3058, your name was Majer Fisczel Gorewicz. I remember.

Update: After years of searching we finally learned the fate of a member of our family. His name was Zygmusz Gorewicz, and he was 3 years old. He was my mother’s brother, born during the war and before her. He was 1 of the last 45 children of Kielce. His story was found on the Yad Vashem website.